Boxing: Akinwande to face Holyfield

EVANDER HOLYFIELD will defend his World Boxing Association heavyweight title against the Briton Henry Akinwande on 6 June at Madison Square Garden, New York.

The fight will be Holyfield's first since he stopped Michael Moorer in November. An official announcement is expected next Monday.

Another British heavyweight, Herbie Hide, has been forced to move the first defence of his World Boxing Organisation title against the American Obed Sullivan to Manchester's Nynex Arena on 18 April.

Hide was originally scheduled to appear on a bill in Dublin two weeks earlier but has been forced to make the switch because Steve Robinson's challenge for Luisito Espinosa's WBC featherweight crown has had to be postponed following a bereavement in the champion's family.

Robinson, who will now face Espinosa at the end of May or beginning of June, will still fight on the Manchester promotion in a 10-round contest as part of his preparation for the title bout.